FORMER CHEERLEADING SCHOOL OWNER PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL ABUSE

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett today announced that Bradley Abrahams, 30 (d.o.b. 6/29/1979) of 4062 Gabrielle Drive, Aurora, has entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, a Class 2 Felony.  Abrahams entered his plea in front of Judge Perry Thompson this morning.  He faces up to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections at sentencing.

Today’s events are the result of allegations that during the month of March, 2006 Abrahams sexually abused an underage girl that attended the ICE Athletics Cheer and Dance in Naperville, a cheerleading school of which Abrahams was co-owner.    The abuse was disclosed by the girl to her parents who then alerted authorities.  In an unrelated matter, Abrahams is also facing forgery and identity theft charges stemming from his business dealings at the gym.

              “As co-owner of the gym this young girl attended, Mr. Abrahams used his position of trust and authority to take advantage of a young innocent girl,” remarked Birkett.  “I would like to thank the Naperville Police Department, particularly Detective Charles Baker, for their outstanding work on this case.  I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Demopoulos for his work in keeping this predator away from the children of DuPage County.”

              Abrahams’ next court appearance is scheduled for December 7, 2009 for return of pre-sentence report and a status hearing on the forgery and identity theft charges.

Members of the public are reminded that the complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

###